If you feel like wishing me a cool Kwanzaa, well, that's A-OK, too. Hope you all have a righteous Kwanzaa.

Yes, folks, it's that time of year — time to figure out just what holiday greeting you'll say, and who to say it to.

So many of us get so hung up on what's politically correct.

Should Christians wish a Merry Christmas to Jews?

Should Jews wish a Merry Christmas to Christians, or fellow Jews?

And just where does Kwanzaa fit into the picture?

It's time for us to just chill.

I understand why some of us feel uncomfortable about holiday greetings.

Christmas and Hanukkah are religious holidays — despite what advertisers, stores, greeting card companies, manufacturers and, yes, the media, would have us believe.

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe is the Savior. That's why most Jews don't celebrate Christmas. Fact is, when I was a child, my mother often reminded me that Christmas wasn't our holiday — something I remember to this day.

Hanukkah is also a religious holiday, celebrating the ancient rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. But it's actually a fairly minor holiday in Judaism that gets elevated because of its proximity to Christmas.

Still, that was our holiday, my mother told me. And we made sure to light the eight candles celebrating the miracle of the holy oil that was supposed to only last a day in that temple, but kept the candles lit for eight days.

And Kwanzaa celebrates the heritage of African-Americans. It was created in 1966 to honor ancient African cultures and inspire African-Americans.

All of these winter holidays celebrate religions and cultures that we should treasure.

I sympathize with those who mourn the commercialism of Christmas and want to make sure that Christ remains in the holiday. And I certainly understand those Jews who want to maintain their Jewish identity and celebrate their own holiday, not Christmas. Same with African-Americans who want to honor their heritage with Kwanzaa. And, hey, if all you believe in is "Seinfeld," well, you've got "Festivus."

But isn't the spirit of all these holidays one of giving, of lighting the darkness of winter, of good will toward everyone?

Isn't that why we want to greet one another in the first place?

Why can't we all celebrate that spirit of goodness when we wish one another a happy holiday?

That's why I say it really doesn't matter what words we use to express those good wishes.